There we have it folks. If I'm to understand this correctly Assange can now leave the embassy. Obviously this is just breaking news and more details
will come soon but if my understanding of this is correct this is a MAJOR win for Assange and his team.

Now, if we can get some sane leadership in this country, we might be able to offer the fellow some freedom and protection from those who seek his
head, rather than be behind one of the knives in his back. That would be nice.

But if he leaves the embassy he could be detained by UK police and face extradition to the US.

After the news was announced on Friday, Wikileaks tweeted that the "focus now moves to the UK", saying the UK had "refused to confirm or deny whether
it has already received a US extradition warrant for Julian Assange".

So it's not quite over yet but a huge hurdle has been cleared - now it's up to the UK to make it's move.

Now, if we can get some sane leadership in this country, we might be able to offer the fellow some freedom and protection from those who seek his
head, rather than be behind one of the knives in his back. That would be nice.

I've heard that he still faces UK charges for breaching bail but now that the charges have been dropped one might hope that the bail breach charge
would be nullified. I'm failing to understand how seeking refuge in an embassy qualifies as "breaching bail" however....

Well the UK does not worry about the criminal records of a good proportion of the newly arrived folks here to enrich, I am sure they could be forgiven
in dropping any charges against Mr Assange..

Personally I see his next step as getting the hell out of the embassy and into a non extradition treaty country for when the next round of arrest
warrants are issued.. Granted that is far easier to say than do.

Now, if we can get some sane leadership in this country, we might be able to offer the fellow some freedom and protection from those who seek his
head, rather than be behind one of the knives in his back. That would be nice.

Why would we offer Assange protection? What's this got to do at all with the leadership of the UK? We've spent millions performing our legal duty
while the little turd hides in a darkened room, I just wish he'd leave - quietly would be nice, but not his style is it.

Well first of all, Assange is someone who promotes freedom of information, prevents the keeping of secrets where they cover up a criminal act on the
part of governments, and therefore is a friend to anyone who has a love of liberty. If we get the right leadership, they will have the same vested
interest in Assanges freedom, as will any just and moral person in this country.

Now, if we can get some sane leadership in this country, we might be able to offer the fellow some freedom and protection from those who seek his
head, rather than be behind one of the knives in his back. That would be nice.

You and I are in agreement on this one, however it looks like the UK police want to arrest him for jumping bail.

Not clear whether that is a paperwork formality or whether they would take it further.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying the Westminster Magistrates Court had issued a warrant for Mr Assange for failing to surrender
to the court on June 29, 2012, and that the police were obligated to execute that warrant should he leave the embassy.

However, they noted he was now wanted for a “much less serious offence’’ and said their resourcing would therefore be
“proportionate to that offence’’ - indicating they had little interest in proactively pursuing him.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying the Westminster Magistrates Court had issued a warrant for Mr Assange for failing to surrender
to the court on June 29, 2012, and that the police were obligated to execute that warrant should he leave the embassy.

However, they noted he was now wanted for a “much less serious offence’’ and said their resourcing would therefore be
“proportionate to that offence’’ - indicating they had little interest in proactively pursuing him.

Hopefully that is the case - but it's always a risk trusting the British police.

"Mr Turnbull should talk to [Theresa] May about safe passage out [of the UK]", Barns told Fairfax.

"Mr Turnbull should also ask whether there is an extradition request against Assange."

Yes it will be interesting to see if Turnbull has the balls to do the right thing and help Assange out of the UK. I'm doubting this very much though -
he's shown multiples times that he has no spine whatsoever.

This content community relies on user-generated content from our member contributors. The opinions of our members are not those of site ownership who maintains strict editorial agnosticism and simply provides a collaborative venue for free expression.